Golden Nail Winners

Two 2014 Golden Mail winners for beautification

SJDA’s Downtown Design Committee (DDC) awarded Golden Nail Awards of Beautification to San Jose State University for the expansion and renovation of the Student Union and to the owners of San Pedro Square Market.

The Beautification Awards are presented to projects that add character and delight to downtown, offer innovative or unique design, complement local assets, and make outstanding contributions to the built environment downtown, said DDC member Jeff Current of Studio Current – Urban design + Architecture.

“Both projects show respect for older design and are updated with new ideas and elements that make more highly functional spaces,” Current said at SJDA’s public meeting Dec. 12, 2014.

SJSU Student Union: The existing 140,000-square-foot “brutalist” structure built in 1967 and designed by Ernie Kump was renovated into a “21st Century gem that adds a magnificent modern element to the historic campus,” Current said.

“We see this $88 million dollar project as a prime example of the on-going growth of our urban university and the continued linkages of SJSU with our renewing downtown,” Current said.

Designers of the new Student Union did a great job honoring the original design while improving the building’s energy efficiency, changing live/work and commuter preferences and overall performance, he added.

“The Student Union accomplishes two primary goals,” said Cathy Busalacchi, associate vice president for student life at San Jose State, who accepted the award. “It softens the overall feel of the campus, and it has quickly become the core of campus life – it’s busy from the early morning late into the night.”

San Pedro Square Market: Designed by Edward McFarlan and Morten Jensen of JRDV Urban International, the market provides a dynamic,ever-changing gathering point for the downtown community and has served as a catalyst for current and planned development throughout the downtown core, Current said.

The project artfully blends the oldest building in San Jose – the Peralta Adobe – with two additional historic rehabilitations and the addition of a new structure, he added.

“As development continues downtown, we hope these projects will incorporate new design thinking and respect historic assets while still moving forward architecturally,” Current said.

“It’s exciting to be part of the front end of downtown’s revitalization,” said Martin Menne of MCM Diversified, who accepted the award along with co-owners John and Tom McEnery from San Pedro Square Properties. “It’s a great time to be in business in downtown San Jose.”

The DDC works closely with the city, SPUR and other urbanists to promote better city planning and urban design. The first Golden Nail Awards were issued by SJDA in 1997.